You woke up, looked out the window, and probably sighed. Or maybe you cheered if you've got a decent pair of skis and a flexible boss. Either way, the big question on everyone's mind this morning is how much snow fell last night across the region. It wasn't just a dusting. We’re looking at a legitimate winter event that caught a few local meteorologists off guard with its intensity during the 2:00 AM window.
Total accumulation is a tricky beast. While the official National Weather Service (NWS) sensors at the airport might say one thing, the drift against your garage door likely says another. That’s because of the high moisture content in this specific storm. It was heavy. It was wet. It was the kind of snow that breaks plastic shovels and makes your lower back scream before you’ve even reached the sidewalk.
Breaking Down the Overnight Totals by Neighborhood
The official numbers are rolling in now. According to the latest reports from the NWS and CoCoRaHS observers—those dedicated folks who go outside with literal yardsticks—the distribution was surprisingly uneven.
The downtown corridor saw a solid 6 inches. However, if you head just fifteen miles north toward the foothills, that number jumps significantly. We are seeing reports of 9 to 11 inches in the higher elevations. Why the gap? It’s basically all about the "upslope flow." As the storm hit the rising terrain, the air cooled even faster, squeezing out every last drop of moisture like a giant frozen sponge.
Most suburban areas are sitting in a "sweet spot" of about 7.5 inches. It’s enough to trigger the local snow emergency protocols but not quite enough to shut down the entire grid for a week. Honestly, the wind played a bigger role than the raw inches did. With gusts hitting 35 mph between midnight and 4:00 AM, the how much snow fell last night metric becomes a bit subjective. You might have a bare patch of grass in the middle of your yard and a three-foot wall of white blocking your car.
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Why the Forecasts Were Kinda Off
If you checked your weather app yesterday afternoon, you might have seen a "3 to 5 inch" prediction. Seeing 8 inches on your porch this morning feels like a betrayal. I get it. But there’s a scientific reason for the discrepancy involving the "Snow-to-Liquid Ratio."
Usually, we assume a 10:1 ratio. Ten inches of snow for every one inch of rain. This storm was different. It stayed colder than expected in the mid-layers of the atmosphere. This resulted in fluffier flakes that stacked up much faster. Instead of a 10:1 ratio, we dealt with something closer to 14:1 for a few hours.
It adds up.
Fast.
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Also, the "banding" was intense. If you look at radar loops from 1:30 AM, you can see these dark blue streaks. Those are heavy mesoscale bands. If you lived under one of those, you got dumped on. If you were five miles to the left, you might have wondered what all the fuss was about. This is why your neighbor’s Facebook post shows a mountain of snow while your backyard looks relatively tame.
The Heavy Lifting: Dealing With the Wet Snow
This isn't the light, powdery stuff you see in ski movies. This is "heart attack snow." Because the temperatures hovered right around 32 degrees during the bulk of the accumulation, the flakes partially melted and refroze as they fell. This creates a dense, icy layer at the bottom of the pack.
If you haven't started shoveling yet, you've got a window of opportunity. The sun is trying to peek through, but that's a double-edged sword. A little bit of melting will make the snow even heavier. Then, when the sun goes down tonight and the temperature craters, all that slush is going to turn into solid concrete.
Quick Tips for the Cleanup:
- Push, don't lift. Seriously. Save your spine.
- Clear the exhaust vents. If you have a high-efficiency furnace or a water heater that vents out the side of your house, make sure it isn't buried. Carbon monoxide is no joke.
- Treat the sidewalk early. Throw down some magnesium chloride or rock salt now while there's still a bit of moisture to help it react.
- Check on the neighbors. Especially the ones who might struggle with a heavy shovel.
Travel Conditions and Local Impacts
Public transit is struggling. While the main arteries have been plowed once or twice, the side streets are a mess. The city's Department of Public Works (DPW) has confirmed that they are currently in "Phase 2" of their snow removal plan. This means they are focusing on emergency routes and hospital access points. Residential streets likely won't see a blade until late this afternoon or even tomorrow morning.
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If you have to drive, keep an eye out for "black ice" under the snow cover. That bottom layer we talked about? It’s slick. Even with four-wheel drive, physics doesn't care about your SUV's trim level. Stopping distances are tripled.
Schools are mostly closed or moved to remote learning. It’s a "snow day" in the modern sense, which is to say the kids are still doing math problems, but they're doing them in pajamas. Check your local district’s website for the most current information, as some are already calling for delayed starts tomorrow to allow for better visibility during the morning commute.
Looking Ahead: Will it Melt?
Don't expect this to disappear by the weekend. While we might see some minor melting today, the long-range forecast shows a cold snap moving in. We’re looking at overnight lows in the teens for the next three days. This means how much snow fell last night is effectively what we’re living with for the foreseeable future.
The ice crust that forms tonight will be a nightmare for anyone trying to clear their driveway tomorrow. If you’re reading this and haven't gone outside yet, this is your sign to grab the boots and get to work.
Immediate Action Steps for Homeowners
- Clear your mailbox. The mail carriers will appreciate it, and it prevents the snow from turning into a frozen block that the plow will eventually turn into a projectile.
- Brush off your car completely. Don't be that person driving with a foot of snow on their roof. It’s dangerous for you and everyone behind you when it slides off at 45 mph.
- Verify your sump pump. As the bottom layer of snow starts to melt against the foundation of your house, you want to make sure your pump is actually working to prevent basement seepage.
- Stake out your fire hydrant. If there’s one near your property, clear a three-foot path around it. Seconds count in an emergency.
- Monitor the roof. If you have an older home or a flat roof, keep an eye on the accumulation. Most modern roofs are fine with 8 inches, but if we get more on top of this, the weight becomes a structural concern.
Stay warm, take frequent breaks while shoveling, and maybe treat yourself to a massive cup of cocoa once the sidewalk is clear. You've earned it.